Golden flute or penny whistle, make some noise for Munster boys

I HOPE you had a good New Year’s Eve.

Naturally, I could not afford such salubrious surroundings off my own bat - a generous offer was made and generously accepted - and it wasn’t a bad old gaff in fairness, a bit law-de-daw, all oak panels and painted portraits, but you get used to it.

However, being something of a socialist (albeit the smoked salmon variety) I did struggle initially.

It just never feels comfortable giving some bloke €3 to carry a bag 150 yards. Not that I’m a scant, it’s just it seems a trifle condescending, tossing token coins to someone who probably earns more than you in the first place.

The crowd was mixed, a few minor celebrities (Gerry Ryan), sporting stars (Shane Curran, Killian Keane) and plenty of flutes with champagne.

Early in the evening, it was all very civilised ... black tie, champagne reception, fireworks display and a lone piper leading the guests to the banqueting hall.

As we followed the paid piper, the air resounded to the sound of AA Roadwatch accents discussing helicopter hire, chandelier light dripped off expensive jewellery and it felt as though a long night lay ahead.

However, four hours later, the Dromoland Castle New Year’s Eve Ball had turned into a good old-fashioned Irish wedding. The accents had normalised, Paddy Cole had the punters panting, unguarded drinks were vanishing at a rate of knots and there was even a minor scuffle on the edge of the dance floor ... great craic.

Oscar Wilde had a saying, “I find that alcohol, when taken in sufficient quantity, produces all the effects of drunkenness”, which seems like a statement of the obvious, but the meaning to be derived is surely that, no matter how refined one believes oneself to be, human nature will surface given the right motivation.

Which brings us, Carrie Bradshaw- like, to Thomond Park and rugby.

Limerick’s famed fortress has traditionally possessed one of the best atmospheres in the game. However, in the past few seasons that reputation has been challenged, following a few lacklustre displays by the Munster faithful on big Heineken Cup days.

Last season’s quarter-final against Stade Francais and this season’s clash with Harlequins were cases in point. Both times, the crowd was unusually muted, and those who tried to instil a bit of vigour into the terraces were almost shamed into silence.

It was perplexing. A bit like the exasperated teacher confronting his bored pupil.

“Murphy, I can’t decide whether you are ignorant or apathetic.”

“Don’t know, don’t care.”

Then for the Castres match last month, power was restored and the crowd crackled once again. The motivation? Paul Volley and his O’Gara-baiting, a thumping defeat in France and Munster eyes smarting from underhand antics in the rucks and mauls the previous week.

Tomorrow, Thomond Park’s record of never witnessing a Heineken Cup defeat is under threat. This is not just pre-match media hype, the Ospreys are a serious outfit, as anyone who saw their dismantling of Llanelli a few weeks back would testify.

A pack full of resurgent Welsh internationals is complemented by a back-line boasting the talents of Shane Williams and Gavin Henson (forget their Pop Idol demeanours, those boys can play).

If that were not enough motivation, there is the lingering bad taste from the Mustoe-stamping, racial-citing incidents to ensure a heated atmosphere on the morrow.

And it will be crucial.

A crowd cannot win a game, but it can contribute to a victory.

As Paul O’Connell said after the Castres match: “The intensity of the crowd matched the intensity of our performance and it was a massive lift.”

Tactically, Munster have set their stall out, and though the loss of Ronan O’Gara is considerable, they have a pack that is feared across the continent and a replacement out-half in Paul Burke who can turn their productivity into points.

You would expect a hefty atmosphere in Thomond Park tomorrow, but it should not require the motivation of unwarranted citings to encourage that. The honour of attending a big match in such hallowed surroundings demands a response, regardless of the opposition.

If the province is to end its wait for European glory, the supporters have a big role to play. So, for the rest of this season, whether you have been watching the province for 40 years or are attending your first Munster match courtesy of a corporate invite, for God’s sake, let yourself be heard. Having referred earlier to Wilde, let’s now invoke the words of reality TV.

“Who wins? ... You decide.”